The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is an expansive outdoor presidential monument located on the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, Washington DC. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
The information in this guide was updated in May 2026, confirming that the site remains completely free and operates without any new timed entry ticketing systems.
Quick facts
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Open twenty-four hours a day, year-round. |
| Ticket prices | Free entry. |
| Address | 400 West Basin Drive SW, Washington, DC 20002. |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Smithsonian Metro station or West Basin Drive street parking. |
| Typical time needed to visit | 45 to 60 minutes. |
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial opening hours
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is open to the public twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Visitors can access the outdoor memorial rooms at any time throughout the entire year. Seasonal variations do not affect general access to the pathways, waterfalls, or bronze sculptures.
National Park Service rangers are typically on duty daily from 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM. They provide interpretive programmes and offer practical assistance to visitors. The open-air nature of the monument means it remains accessible even on major public holidays.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial ticket prices
There is no cost to enter the monument, as Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial ticket prices are entirely free for all visitors. You do not need to purchase a ticket, hold a pass, or make an advance reservation. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in May 2026.
5 Washington DC experiences worth booking
- 🏛️ Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the US Capitol Building, with the Library of Congress or Supreme Court included.
- 🏡 Combine George Washington’s Mount Vernon with Old Town Alexandria on a history-packed day tour.
- 🕊️ Take a guided walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery, including the Changing of the Guard.
- 🚲 Visit the monuments and memorials of the National Mall on a bike tour that gets you closer than the bus routes.
- 🍽️ Go on a tasting tour of Georgetown’s top foodie highlights.
How to get to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
The most reliable way to reach the site is by taking the Metro rail network. Visitors should alight at the Smithsonian station, which serves the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. This stop is located at 12th Street and Independence Avenue Southwest. It takes approximately 20 minutes to walk to the monument.
Visitors can also reach the area using the District of Columbia Circulator bus. The National Mall route stops near the attraction on its continuous loop. Rideshare vehicles and taxis can safely drop passengers off near the main entrance on West Basin Drive. Bicycle racks are provided near the site, but riding bicycles within the memorial itself is strictly prohibited.
Why book the Washington, D.C. Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour?
- 🏛️ Over 15 Strategic Stops: Explore the nation’s capital at your own pace with a route that covers all the essentials, including the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian museums.
- 🎤 Expert Live Narration: Skip the pre-recorded tracks and enjoy colorful, live commentary from professional guides who share the history, politics, and hidden secrets of D.C.
- 🎖️ Arlington National Cemetery Shuttle: Benefit from a seamless connection to the Arlington National Cemetery tour, making it easy to pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and JFK’s gravesite.
- 📸 Prime Memorial Access: Get dropped off directly near the Lincoln, FDR, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials, saving you miles of walking between the sprawling sites of the National Mall.
- 🕒 1 or 2-Day Flexibility: Choose a pass that fits your schedule, allowing you to linger at your favorite exhibits and simply catch the next trolley when you’re ready to move on.
Parking at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Parking at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is highly limited and primarily restricted to paid metered spaces. Visitors can find metered street parking located directly along West Basin Drive. Additional metered spaces are available along Ohio Drive Southwest.
Payment is required via digital parking applications or designated pay stations. Free on-street parking in the surrounding District of Columbia area is generally restricted to two hours. Visitors should carefully check street signs for time limits and restrictions before leaving their vehicles.
How long to spend at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
A typical visit to the attraction lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. This timeframe provides enough opportunity to walk sequentially through the four distinct outdoor rooms. It also allows time to read the numerous wall inscriptions and view the various water features.
Those who wish to read every inscription thoroughly or speak with park rangers should allocate a full hour and a half. There are no mandatory guided tours that require a longer stay.
Accessibility at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
The monument is fully accessible to wheelchair users and visitors with mobility requirements. Accessibility at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial includes designated accessible parking spaces located near the main entrance. The pathways throughout the memorial are wide, paved, and completely free of steps.
Braille brochures and audio-described brochures are available free of charge upon request. Rangers can assist with accessibility queries upon arrival. Public restrooms located at the site are also fully accessible for all visitors.
What to see at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
The memorial is divided into four open-air rooms, each representing one of the president’s four terms in office. Visitors walk through these areas sequentially along a paved pathway. Red South Dakota granite walls define the spaces and feature carved quotations from his major public speeches.
Room One focuses on his first term and the launch of the New Deal. It features a large bas-relief sculpture depicting his first presidential inauguration. A prominent water feature in this section consists of a single large drop, representing the sharp economic decline of the Great Depression.
Room Two illustrates the social programmes created to combat the ongoing economic crisis. This area includes the famous Breadline sculpture, showing men waiting for food assistance in sombre silence. Another notable bronze sculpture depicts a rural couple listening intently to one of the president’s fireside chat radio broadcasts.
Room Three represents his third term, which was dominated by the global events of World War II. The primary focal point is a large bronze statue of the president seated beside his dog, Fala. The waterfall in this room crashes chaotically over large scattered boulders, representing the destruction and violence of the conflict.
Room Four covers his brief final term and his enduring legacy. A bronze relief sculpture honours Eleanor Roosevelt and her work with the United Nations. The final waterfall in this section creates a still pool of water, symbolising his death. A separate statue added in 2001 explicitly shows the president seated in his wheelchair, highlighting his struggle with polio.
Practical visitor tips
| Category | Practical visitor tip |
| Timing | Arrive before 9:00 AM or after 7:00 PM to take advantage of the twenty-four hour access and avoid midday heat. |
| Crowds | Expect the highest concentration of visitors during the spring cherry blossom season and on summer weekends. |
| Layout | Start your visit at the northern entrance near the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial to experience the timeline in chronological order. |
| Entry process | Walk directly into the open-air pathways upon arrival without needing to queue for a security check or ticket validation. |
| On-site logistics | Use the public restrooms and water fountains located near the memorial entrance before continuing your walk. |
Frequently asked questions about the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial suitable for children? | Yes, the site is suitable for children and features wide, flat pathways that easily accommodate pushchairs. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial? | No, advance booking is not required because the site is completely free and open to the general public. |
| Is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial open on Sundays? | Yes, the site is open twenty-four hours a day on Sundays and every other day of the week. |
| Are bags allowed at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial? | Yes, visitors can bring day bags into the site, but there are no storage lockers available for large luggage. |
| Are dogs allowed at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial? | Yes, pet dogs are allowed throughout the memorial provided they are kept on a leash no longer than six feet. |
Things to do near the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial: A large stone sculpture and inscription wall located a short walk along the water, honouring the famous civil rights leader.
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial: A circular, open-air colonnade housing a bronze statue of the third American president, accessible via a path around the basin.
- World War II Memorial: A large stone plaza featuring fountains and fifty-six pillars representing the states and territories of the era.
- Washington Monument: A towering 555-foot stone obelisk located on the central mall that offers an observation deck with extensive city views.
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: A comprehensive educational facility offering profound historical exhibits that require advance timed entry passes.
What to visit tomorrow
- Lincoln Memorial: A classical temple design housing a massive seated statue of the sixteenth American president, located at the western end of the park.
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial: A long, black granite wall inscribed with the names of military personnel who died in the conflict.
- Korean War Veterans Memorial: An outdoor installation featuring nineteen stainless steel statues of soldiers on patrol, accompanied by a photographic mural wall.
- US Marine Corps War Memorial: A large bronze statue in nearby Arlington depicting the famous raising of the American flag at the Battle of Iwo Jima.
- World War I Memorial: An urban park space featuring a large bronze sculptural relief commemorating Americans who served in the First World War.
More Washington DC travel
Other Washington DC travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- The best of the DC Smithsonian Museums – including the National Museum of the American Indian.
- What to expect at the National Postal Museum.
- Guide to the National Building Museum in Washington DC.
- What to see and do on a visit to Dumbarton Oaks and Rock Creek Park, Washington DC.
- National Mall bus tour vs bike tour: What’s the best way to see Washington DC’s monuments and memorials?
